Edinburgh Sports Club

Edinburgh Sports Club (ESC) is a members' rackets club located at 7 Belford Place, Edinburgh, EH4 3DH, in the heart of the West End, hidden away on a small island in the middle of the Water of Leith World Heritage site. Established in 1936, the club was designed by the notable Edinburgh architecture firm Rowand Anderson and Paul (who also designed the McEwan Hall and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery), featuring distinctive Art Deco elements throughout the building. The first development cost around £6,000 and included two squash courts, changing rooms with 'spray' rooms (early showers), and a small professional's office. The club expanded rapidly: by 1938, two more squash courts (4 and 5) and a doubles court were added. In 1949, the club purchased a house and garages at 10 Belford Mews for professional accommodation, later selling them in 1960-62. 1957 saw the installation of two hard tennis courts (asphalt), a new ladies' changing room, and a cocktail bar with dining area. The bar was reconfigured in 1960 to its current form, and fire escapes were added between 1962 and 1965. The biggest expansion came in 1968 with a new east block containing squash courts 6 and 7, a lounge, and dining area – funded partly by a £10,000 gift from benefactor Sophie Gifford, a £9,625 grant from the Scottish Education Department, and a brewer's loan. Sophie Gifford (née Millar) was a lifelong sport enthusiast who later left £10,000 to over 20 clubs in her will. In 1971, a third tennis court was added (court 3) after a retaining wall was built at the south-east corner. The tennis courts were floodlit in stages (court 1 in 1984, all three by 1999). A major redevelopment of courts 6 and 7 in 1986-87 introduced glass back walls and removable tiered seating for 81 spectators, hosting the 1988 World Junior Men's Championship (won by Del Harris) and the 1989 TeleSquash event, though the costly project was not a long-term success. The tennis courts were completely rebuilt in 1999 with a one-metre excavation, new carpet, and new lighting. Today, ESC boasts six squash courts, three floodlit outdoor tennis courts, three fully covered padel courts (the first in Scotland, installed from 2014-2021, driven by manager Jonathan Tait), a hardball doubles court, a first-class table tennis facility, a snooker table, a gym (fitness room, added in 1994), a men's sauna (1994, still in use), a ladies' steam room (now a store room), a bar, restaurant, barbecue area, and an on-site shop offering rackets, balls, and accessories (with 10% discount for members). The club is wheelchair accessible and offers online booking via webbookings.co. Parking is available on site, and there are 15 electric vehicle charging points (Type 2, 7kW). Membership is open to all, with no joining fee and no court fees. Options include pay monthly or single annual fee. The club also offers a pay-and-play option via the booking website. Coaching is available for all sports for adults and juniors of all levels, including junior tennis classes, weekly Cardio Tennis, group technique and tactics classes, and private lessons. The club fields Men's and Ladies' teams in the East of Scotland Lawn Tennis Association Leagues (Summer and Winter), and runs numerous social activities: club tournaments, mini-leagues, club nights, handicap tournaments, squash festivals, graded tournaments, tours, international events, curry nights, quiz nights, bistro nights, Octoberfest, karaoke, and more. The club is family-orientated and prides itself on welcoming new members and helping them find playing partners. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-22:00, Saturday 09:00-18:00, Sunday 09:00-22:00. The club can be contacted at +44 131 539 7071 or via the website www.edinburghsportsclub.co.uk. It is located just a short brisk walk from Princes Street and Edinburgh Castle.